Pandemic sees NHS use of MS Teams soar

Over 65 million messages have been sent on the Microsoft Teams platform since the week it was rolled out across the NHS by NHS Digital.

Microsoft Teams has been used across many NHS organisations to collaborate, share information securely and support new ways of working during the coronavirus pandemic. The service provides secure instant messaging, direct audio and video calls between NHS colleagues and has virtual meeting capabilities.  This can support remote and mobile working, helping staff to work and deliver advice to each other during the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the NHS technology organisation, nearly four million messages were sent between NHS colleagues in the past week and more than 850,000 meetings were held using the software, out of a total 13.2 million held since the rollout.

NHS Digital rolled this out to 1.3 million users with NHSmail accounts between 16-20 March 2020.  

Chris Parsons, who runs NHSmail at NHS Digital, said: “The use of remote messaging and meeting technology like MS Teams has proven to be essential for NHS organisations during the pandemic. Many doctors and nurses have had to work remotely to provide effective care, especially to those patients who have been self-isolating, and technology like this can help make it possible.

“There has been a seismic shift in how organisations work over the last few months, and these figures show that the appetite for digital collaboration has increased exponentially over that time, becoming part of the fabric of working life on the front lines.”